They don't call it a museum city for nothing. Charming Madrid, in which different eras intertwined, leaving traces in art, painting, architecture, will acquaint everyone with its history.
The city of European culture, carefully preserving the heritage of several generations, cannot be explored even in a week. Connoisseurs of beauty go to the numerous museums of Madrid, where real treasures are presented. Here everyone will find interesting exhibits. Lovers of "spiritual food" speak enthusiastically about
Introduction to Madrid
The best way to get to know the capital of Spain is to visit the famous museums of Madrid. The Prado and the Royal Palace, as well as the Thyssen-Bornemisza private art gallery, which are part of the so-called golden triangle of arts, are famous all over the world and are well-deservedly popular with tourists. Of course, it is impossible to see absolutely everything, but everyone has a chance to touch a piece of beauty.
Prado Museum
The main museum of the capital of Spain, which has gained worldwide fame, is the Prado. It got its name from the park of the same name, where the first exhibition hall was opened. In the cultural institution founded in 1819, about four thousand works of various masters are opened to the eyes of visitors.
Equivalent to the Louvre and the Hermitage, the first museum in terms of significance and value, created to highlight the contribution to world art, belongs to the monuments of architecture. Previously, only the royal family could admire the masterpieces, which made their collection available to everyone. Over time, creations created by painters from other countries appeared here, and museum exhibits were declared state property.
Royal Palace
The museums of Madrid are also its main attractions. So the Royal Palace, which is used for solemn ceremonies, receives visitors admiring the interiors.
The interior decoration of the luxurious baroque building is considered the most beautiful in Europe. Crystal chandeliers, colorful frescoes by famous masters, unique furniture, Stradivarius violins - all this makes the palace the best museum not only in Madrid, but also in Spain as a whole.
Guests are visiting the premises, the expositions of which reproduce the laboratories of ancient alchemists, and the armory hall surprises with a stunning collection of riders in armor. No less interesting is the royal library, which stores about three thousand historical manuscripts.
Open to the public, the greatest monument of architecture, which many compare with Versailles, is surrounded by a picturesque park where you can relax in the shade of trees and enjoy the majestic view.
Serralbo Palace
There are also such museums in Madrid, about which, unfortunately, little is known to tourists. The Cerralbo Palace, owned by the state since 1924, is not very popular, although the magnificent mansion with 37 rooms will surprise even the most sophisticated connoisseurs of art. The refined interiors of the house, which once belonged to an aristocratic family, retain the features of a 19th-century living space.
Unusual collections of tapestries, clocks, coins from around the world, medals and awards tell a lot about the history of the city and the family of the Marquis of Serralbo. And wonderful photo collections, a collection of old books and works by Spanish painters will not leave anyone indifferent.
costume museum
What other museums to visit in Madrid? Photos of the collections of the youngest cultural institution, opened in 2004, will first of all appeal to the fair sex. The Costume Museum will allow everyone to take an informative tour of the history of fashion from ancient times to the present.
Exhibits related to the ethnological heritage, as well as a huge amount of jewelry and accessories, will certainly delight tourists who want to learn a lot about the traditional clothes of the Spaniards.
Museums in Madrid: a list of the most unusual
- Next to the Prado Museum there is a popular art object, where an exposition of modern art is open to all comers. Kaisha forum attracts attention with a vertical living wall of 15,000 green plants. This is the pride of a unique museum. Created on the territory of an abandoned factory, the fashion site often hosts various installations and exhibitions of sculptures.
- From a distance, the Grassi Clock Museum stands out from the rest of the architectural monuments: the building, consisting of two interconnected rooms, attracts attention with a beautiful rotunda with attached belvederes made in the Renaissance style. On the facade of the museum, colorful emblems of famous watch brands shine. A unique collection of ancient mechanisms can trace their evolution.
- Jamon Museum with a relaxed atmosphere will delight lovers of dried hams - the national dish of Spain. The first floor is more like a market, the counters of which are bursting with a variety of meat products. And those who want to try pork specialties in a real restaurant go upstairs. As tourists admit, this is one of the most unusual museums where you can taste the best delicacies.
The amazing museums of Madrid will introduce visitors to the ancient and modern history of the city, tell about the art and culture of a beautiful country that has given the world many great talents.
It is impossible not to love Spain, just as it is impossible not to love the sound of the guitar and passionate flamenco, not to know Don Juan and Don Quixote, not to dream of the Canary Islands, even if you have already visited. Nothing is half here, red and black are always together, feelings are always to the end.
Spanish temperament is bullfighting, which in our time causes a lot of controversy among animal advocates, but remains the main entertainment of the country after football. The famous "ole-ole" is also a Spanish call. Mecca of football players Barcelona will be of interest to tourists as a cultural and historical center. Be sure to visit the Montjuic Fountain. At night, water and light work wonders. About three thousand people worked on the creation of a masterpiece for a whole year.
Hanging between Europe and Africa, Spain gave the world a unique painting and architecture. The National Prado Museum has much to be proud of. Collections of paintings by El Greco, Velasquez are the largest in the world. All objects created by the architect Antonio Gaudi are under the protection of UNESCO, and the paintings of Salvador Dali and Picasso showed the world new trends in painting. Spain opened America to the world by equipping Columbus, and gave its language to a huge number of states. The country remains a monarchy to this day, and even retained some of its colonies. For example, a piece of paradise - the Canary Islands. Spain is famous for Madeira wines, fine cheeses (buy a piece of jamon home), shop villages where you can buy genuine leather goods at reasonable prices.
The best hotels and hostels at affordable prices.
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What to see in Spain?
The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a brief description.
1. Prado National Museum
The collection of the Prado Museum began to form in the time of Charles V. Today the collection of paintings includes 8600 canvases. Exhibition halls are not able to exhibit all the available masterpieces. In addition to painting in the museum, you can see objects decorative arts, Treasures of the Dauphin, a collection of Italian sculpture.
2. Burgos Cathedral
The Cathedral in Burgos is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is decorated with gothic-style lacy bas-reliefs and is the third largest cathedral in Spain. Inside the church, gothic, renaissance and baroque overlap. There is a lot of gilding, stone and wooden carvings, skillful stained-glass windows. Buried on site national hero Cid Campeador country.
3. Altamira Cave
30 kilometers from the city of Santander, unique examples of rock art from the Paleolithic era were found. The ceiling of the Altamira cave is painted with figures of bulls, boars and horses. The ancient artist skillfully used rock bulges for a three-dimensional effect. The cave is open to the public. Inside it are huge halls and double corridors.
4. Plaza of Spain (Seville)
The municipality of Seville, built in a semicircle, hugs the most beautiful square in the world - Plaza de España. In the niches of the government building, tiled panels are laid out as a sign of the unity of the Spanish provinces. Like a crown, a fountain sparkles in the center. The chess patterns of pebbles and tiles are impressive. A canal has been dug around the square, along which you can ride a boat.
5. Canary Islands
The volcanic archipelago consists of seven islands. The favorable climate attracts tourists from all over the world. The Canary Islands are the land of eternal spring. There are many natural parks, entertainment centers, beaches with black, golden, white sand. Tourists can visit an active volcano, a thousand-year-old dragon tree, the Guimar pyramids and many other interesting places.
6. Park Güell
A friend of the businessman Güell A. Gaudi worked on the creation of the park. Here you can forget about your age, feel yourself in the world of gingerbread houses and cream borders. Many figures, benches, arches in the columned halls are lined with a thousand pieces of blue, yellow, pink glass, have unusual shapes, and impress with the smoothness of the lines.
7. La Concha Beach
The beautiful bay of La Concha in the city of San Sebastian is recognized as the most beautiful beach in Spain. It looks like a dish with a golden rim. The beach is famous for its chic restaurants and cozy cafes. The beach is suitable for families with children because of the soft sand and shallow depth. It is always quiet here and there are no strong winds due to the hills in the west.
8. Old City of Cuenca
Cuenca is located at an altitude of 956m above sea level. Weathered rocks seem to have grown houses and towers. They are not afraid to hang over the abyss for many centuries. Cuenca arose at the beginning of our era as a Celtic settlement. Survived the Romans, Arabs, Moors. Different cultures and religions have left their mark here. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the unique views of the ancient city.
9. Mesquite
The Cathedral-Mosque of Mesquita appeared in Spanish Cordoba after the period of Moorish conquests. In 1236, King Ferdinand III recaptured the city and turned the Muslim temple into a Catholic cathedral. The chapel was erected right in the prayer hall of the mosque. Many columns made of jasper, granite, and onyx have been preserved here. The Arabic script from the Koran remained on the walls.
10. Escorial Monastery
Escorial is a monastery-palace erected by King Philip II in honor of the victory over the French. It became the spiritual, historical and cultural center of Spain. On the territory of the monastery there is a museum of paintings by Titian, Anton van Dyck, Bosch, Tintoretto, Veronese and others. There is a huge library, which is second only to the Vatican. Almost all Spanish monarchs are buried in Escorial.
11. Sagrada Familia
The construction of the Sagrada in Barcelona began in 1882 and has not yet been completed, as it relies solely on private donations. The project of Antonio Gaudi was intended to embody the New Testament of the Savior in stone, the architecture of the cathedral. On the outer side, 12 towers symbolize the apostles, 4 large ones - the evangelists, the central 170m tower symbolizes Christ.
12. Ibiza Island
Ibiza is an expensive party resort. It is famous for its elite discos and clubs. There is a mild Mediterranean climate, excellent beaches, but the rest can be diversified by visiting historical sites. In the very center of the island, a Muslim fortress has been preserved, there is an archaeological museum.
13. Alhambra
The Alhambra Museum of Islamic Culture or the Red Castle is located in Granada. You need to buy a ticket in advance (a limited number of people are allowed inside). The architectural complex includes several palaces, parks, many towers with a name and a legend. Quiet courtyards, fountains, lace carvings create an indescribable atmosphere of an oriental fairy tale.
14. Costa Brava
The resort area, which begins near the French border and stretches for 162 km, is called the coast of the brave. Primordial rocks stretch along the sea for many kilometers. There are extraordinarily beautiful beaches and bays. Costa Brava is a favorite place for divers, climbers, and connoisseurs of cultural recreation.
15. Royal Palace of Madrid
The palace of the Spanish kings was built at 18 by the famous architects Sabatini and Sacchetti. The Italian Baroque style gave the building a luxurious and majestic look. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens with fountains and well-groomed flower beds. In the park you can visit the carriage museum, and in the palace itself there is a large collection of ancient weapons, Stradivari violins, and paintings.
16. Alcazar of Seville
The Moorish palace has been used by the Spanish monarchs as a residence in Seville for more than 700 years. On all free days the palace is open for visits. In addition to contemplating the beautiful Arab architecture, you can walk among orange and lemon trees, roses, ponds with goldfish. Peacocks are the decoration of the garden.
17. Dunes of Maspalomas
Tides and east winds have turned 3 km of Spain into Africa. The inflicted dunes even have flora and fauna similar to the Sahara. The dunes are constantly moving, the wind changing the face of Maspalomas Park on the island of Gran Canaria as it sees fit. Here you can ride camels or conquer the desert on foot in 40 minutes.
18. Loro Park
Zoo on about. Tenerife is famous for the world's largest collection of parrots. There are up to 500 species here. There is even a kind of bird theater. In addition, you can admire the show with dolphins, see penguins and other animals. The botanical garden has a unique collection of orchids.
19. Aqueduct in Segovia
The height of the Roman aqueduct in Segovia reaches 28m. It is the longest of the ancient drainage structures in Europe - 728 meters. Built around the time of Vespasian. For the construction of the aqueduct, the Romans used granite stone blocks, not fastening them with mortar, but tightly fitting them to each other. Almost until 1997, he remained in working condition.
20. Roman theater in Merida
The theater in Merida was a single complex with an amphitheater and a park. Modern archaeological ruins allow you to imagine quite well what it was like in ancient times. Obviously, it was designed for 6000 seats. Today, a festival of classical theatrical art is held here every summer.
2004 was the year of the official creation of the costume museum in Madrid.
However, the Museo del Traje (Spanish) begins its life in 1925. This year, in the presence of the family of the King of Spain, the exhibition "The history of clothing of all the provinces of Spain" was opened. This permanent exhibition has been updated with new designs of clothing, changed names, and is now located in an extraordinary complex in 1973, the authors of which are architects James Lopez and Angel Diaz Dominguez.
The Madrid Art Museum of Spain's most famous Impressionist painter, Joaquín Sorolla, is located in the house where the master, surrounded by his family, lived from 1911 to 1923. The Sorolla Museum contains the largest collection of paintings by the famous artist, art objects, his personal belongings.
The founder of the museum is the famous Spanish publisher, philanthropist and collector Jose Lazaro Galdiano. The Italian-style palace of the early 20th century, which houses the museum, was once the personal residence of Lazaro Galdiano. He donated to the Spanish government, before his death, in 1948, a large collection of books (more than 20,000 volumes) and works of art (more than 12,600 copies).
Among the aristocrats of the Serralbo family there were many scientists and truly educated people. Their passion for collecting art objects and interest in the history of their kind led the Marquises of Serralbo to collect the richest collection of paintings, weapons, and antiques.
What can be built in 144 years? Much... But not the most unusual temple in Barcelona. With a tenacity that is simply extraordinary, the Catalans are building a church only on donations. Everything would be faster and easier if this long-term construction was not associated with the most fantastic and grandiose project of the great architect Antonio Gaudi.
So they call Spain for the careful storage of cultural and historical monuments of world fame.
The most famous museum in Spain Prado Museum. It is located in Madrid and is one of the largest and most important museums in Europe. visual arts. Here are the most complete collections of works Bosch, Velazquez, Goya, Murillo, Zurbarana, El Greco.
Other authors include artists of the Italian school: A. Mantenho, S. Botticelli, Raphael, Andrea del Sarto, Tintoretto, Veronese, Titian.
In the picture: Andrea del Sarto "Madonna and Child with an Angel"
For more than a century and a half, the provinces of modern Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg belonged to the Spanish crown, many Flemish artists worked in Spain, so the Prado Museum has many paintings by Flemish artists: van der Weyden, G. Memling, J. Bosch, P. Brueghel, Rubens, J. Jordaens, A. van Dyck.
In the picture: I. Bosch "Hay Cart"
The Spanish school is also widely represented in the museum: artists of the 12th century, medieval frescoes, Gothic, Renaissance art, El Greco, Velasquez, Murillo, Zurbaran, Goya, realistic paintings of the 19th century.
In the picture: D. Velazquez "Portrait of King Philip IV"
History of the Prado Museum
The museum building is a monument of late classicism.
The museum was founded Isabella of Braganza, the wife of King Ferdinand VII, in 1785. Currently, the funds of the Prado Museum are 6 000
paintings, more 400 sculptures, numerous jewelry including royal and religious collections. During several centuries of its existence, the Prado was patronized by many kings. And the very first collection of the museum was formed under Charles I, known as the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire Charles V. Philip II, the museum owes the acquisition of paintings by Flemish masters. Philip was a fan Bosch- an artist who has not yet been completely unraveled, who possessed a bizarre fantasy (or insight?) At first, Philip acquired the paintings of this artist for the castle of the Spanish kings, and only in the 19th century. they were moved to the Prado Museum. Here you can see the masterpieces of I. Bosch: "The Garden of Delights" and "Hay Cart".
Currently, the museum hosts theatrical performances, "revitalizing" the famous canvases. Velazquez's paintings were staged first. This idea was liked by visitors to the museum.
Let's continue our story about art museums Spain.
Picasso Museum (Barcelona)
Its collection contains mainly the early works of the artist, created during the period from 1895 to 1904. Among the later works, the Las Meninas series stands out - variations based on the painting of the same name by Velasquez.
The museum opened in 1963. It was based on the collection of Picasso's secretary and friend Jaime Sabartes. The museum is housed in an old city palace of the 15th century, which is famous for its ancient courtyards.
National Art Museum of Catalonia (Barcelona)
Created in 1990. by combining the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Art Museum of Catalonia.
The museum is a consortium of the city of Barcelona and the Ministry of Culture of Catalonia. Its headquarters is located in the National Palace at the foot of Montjuic, opened in 1929 for the World Exhibition in Barcelona.
Collection romances of this museum romance- a period in European art, starting from about 1000 and up to the emergence of the Gothic style in the 13th century. or later, depending on the region) is considered one of the most complete in the world. Its basis is formed by a unique department of Romanesque frescoes. The collection also includes a large collection of wood paintings and wooden sculptures. the collections number about 236,000 works and cover a thousand-year history of Catalan, Spanish and European art, from romanticism, gothic, renaissance and baroque to the middle of the 20th century.
National Sculpture Museum (Valladolid)
This is the former Antique Museum (its name was changed in 2008). The museum has many sculptures from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Here are the works of famous Spanish masters Alonso Berruguete, Juan de Juni, Gregorio Fernandez etc. The museum includes several buildings of unique architecture. Particularly noteworthy are the galleries of the courtyard and the main building of the museum - the College of San Gregorio, where theologians, mystics and inquisitors once studied.
El Greco Museum (Toledo)
An outstanding Renaissance painter, known for his unique manner of writing, was a native of Crete. At the age of 35, he entered the service of the King of Spain and some time later moved to Toledo, where he spent the rest of his life. Here the artist created most of his masterpieces.
The building in which the artist's museum is located today is not actually his home - his true home was destroyed during a fire. At the initiative of the Marquis de la Vega Inclan at the beginning of the 20th century. the building of the 16th century was restored, located close to the real house of the artist. Here his house was recreated, personal belongings that survived the fire, some pieces of furniture and his outstanding paintings were transferred. The museum was opened in 1911.
The opened museum aimed to preserve the masterpieces of the great artist as much as possible, to prevent their export abroad. The museum also exhibits the works of Spanish artists and sculptors of the 16th-17th centuries, among which a special place is occupied by the paintings of El Greco's student - Louis Tristan.
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
This is a modern art museum. It is one of the branches of the Solomon Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art.
The museum building was designed by American-Canadian architect Frank Gehry. The museum is open at 1997. Building recognized one of the most spectacular deconstructivist buildings in the world. It is located on the embankment and embodies the abstract idea of a futuristic ship. He is also compared to a bird, an airplane, Superman, an artichoke, and a blossoming rose.
The central atrium, 55 meters high, resembles a giant metal flower, from which the petals of curving fluid extended volumes diverge, in which there are suites of exhibition halls for various expositions.
The building is lined with titanium sheets with a total area of 24,000 m².
Museum of Abstract Art (Cuenca)
The permanent exhibition includes about 130 paintings and sculptures by Spanish artists of the 1950s and 60s, as well as by authors of the 1980s and 90s. The Museum of Abstract Art is called the main artistic attraction of the city. The gallery of the museum was opened in the 1960s. one of the leading artists of Spanish abstract art F. Sobel. The museum contains works of abstract painting and sculpture L. Munoz, A. Saura, A. Tapiesa. It houses expositions dedicated to provincial Spain. The museum is located in the famous "hanging houses", buildings of the 15th century.
State symbols of Spain
Flag- consists of three horizontal stripes - two equal red ones, upper and lower, between which there is a yellow stripe, the width of which is twice as large as each red stripe. On the yellow strip at a distance of 1/3 from the pole edge of the cloth there is an image of the coat of arms of Spain.
The flag of Spain in its modern form has existed since 1785, when King Carlos III of Bourbon ordered Spanish warships to use signs to distinguish them from ships of other states - the white naval standard of Spain, decorated with the coat of arms of the House of Bourbon, could easily be confused with the standards of ships of other countries. Since then red yellow colors are traditionally associated with Spain, although they were adopted as state only in 1927.
The flag with the image of the modern version of the coat of arms was officially introduced on December 19, 1981.
Coat of arms- bringing together the entire history of Spain. It represents all the kingdoms that have united in modern Spain: Castile is represented by a castle; Leon, Asturias and Galicia - a lion; Aragon, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands - four red stripes on a gold background; Navarre - in the form of chains; Andalusia is depicted as a pomegranate, since in Spain it grows mainly only on the lands of Granada - the last Muslim state captured by Christian kings during the Reconquista; in the heart of the coat of arms - on an oval-shaped shield, three golden lilies in an azure field with a scarlet border represent the Angevin branch of the Bourbon dynasty, to which the king and his family belong, and the crown crowning the coat of arms is a sign that Spain is a kingdom; the columns symbolize the Pillars of Hercules, as Gibraltar used to be called, which at one time was considered the end of the world. The motto "Plus Ultra" - lat. "beyond the limit".
Brief information about the country
Capital- Madrid.
Largest cities- Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Malaga.
Form of government- a constitutional monarchy.
head of state- King.
Chief Executive- Prime Minister.
Administrative division– 17 autonomous regions and 50 provinces.
Climate- Spain is characterized by very deep internal climatic differences: in the northwest the climate is mild and humid, in the interior of the country it is continental.
Territory- 504,782 km².
Population- 47 190 500 people
Official language- Spanish.
Currency- Euro.
Religion- 95% of believers are Catholics.
Economy– strong (9th place in the world).
Spain -one of the largest centers of international tourism. The main tourist centers are Madrid, Barcelona, as well as the resorts of the Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol.
Sights of Spain
Madrid
Plaza Mayor ("Main Square")
One of the central squares of the Spanish capital. "The navel of Spain," Lope de Vega said of her. The Madrid baroque square, one of the monuments of the Habsburg era, was designed by the architect Juan Gómez de Mora.
Plaza Mayor was the first square in Madrid to have a permanent place for bullfighting - before that, bullfights took place on makeshift grounds.
The central square of the Spanish capital, one of the most famous sights of Madrid.
Puerta del Sol - an oval square surrounded by buildings of the XVIII century - the intersection of eight streets. The ensemble of the square, which has the shape of a crescent, was formed by the end of the 19th century, during the time of Isabella II. A bronze plate mounted in the sidewalk on the square serves zero point for counting road distances in Spain. Madrid is the geographical center of the country, and the square is the central point of the city.
Official residence of the kings of Spain. Located in the western part of Madrid. But King Juan Carlos I does not live in the palace and visits it only on occasions of official ceremonies.
The palace was built in 1764, but its interior design continued for many more years.
The palace park was founded in the 19th century, today it houses the Carriage Museum, which contains carriages, gigs, landaus, ceremonial carriages and carriages that belonged to the Spanish kings since the 16th century, as well as saddles and carpets.
East Square
The area began to be built in early XIX v. Joseph Bonaparte. The square ensemble was completed during the reign of Isabella II. The queen moved an equestrian sculpture to the center of the square King Philip IV, created in 1640 by the sculptor Pietro Tacca. The sculpture was created on the basis of the portrait of Philip IV by Velazquez, and calculations to determine the center of gravity of a horse resting only on its hind legs were made Galileo Galilei.
On the square in the park there are sculptures (made of limestone) of the kings of the first Spanish states that existed on the Iberian Peninsula at different times.
This is a functioning Augustinian convent, founded in 1611 by the wife of Philip III. Margaret of Austria. The monastery was and remains the home of the representatives of the upper class, it is the richest and most prosperous monastery in Spain. The monastery building is one of the most recognizable in the Spanish capital.
Cathedral of Almudena
Dedicated to Our Lady Almudena. April 4, 1884 Alphonse XII laid the first stone of the future cathedral, which was to become the tomb of his first wife and cousin Mary de las Mercedes of Orleans and Bourbon, who died six months after the wedding. The construction of the cathedral was completed in 1993 G.
Plaza of Spain
Located near the royal palace. The central part of the ensemble of the square is occupied by a monument Cervantes, opened for the 300th anniversary of his death in 1915 by the sculptors Teodoro Anasagasti and Matteo Inurria. Two high-rise buildings stand out on the square: the block skyscraper "Madrid Tower", nicknamed the "giraffe" (height 130 m, 30 floors) and the skyscraper "Spain", in which the hotel is now located (height 117 m, 26 floors).
Bullring "Las Ventas"
Neo-Moorish style bullring with a capacity of up to 23,000 spectators. It was built in 1929 of brick, with semicircular arches and ceramic inlay. This is the largest bullring in Spain. Only after performing in this arena do bullfighters achieve full recognition of their skills, and farms that raise fighting bulls become famous after their pets perform in it. In front of the Las Ventas arena, a monument to the matadors who died during the bullfight and a monument to the doctor A. Fleming who discovered penicillin. Thanks to this discovery, many of the wounded during the bullfight survived. The building houses the bullfighting museum, which contains portraits of famous matadors, their weapons, tools and costumes, posters, as well as mummified bull heads.
Retiro Park
The largest (40 hectares) and the most famous park in the city. Together with the palace of the same name, it was part of the residence of the Habsburgs. In 1868, the park was transferred to municipal administration, after which it became one of the favorite places for recreation of the townspeople. In the park there is a memorial of King Alfonso XII, two pavilions by the famous architect of the 19th century Velasquez - the Crystal Palace made of glass and the brick palace of Velasquez.
Barcelona
The second most populated city in Spain, the capital of Catalonia. Port on the Mediterranean. One of the most important tourist destinations in European routes. Famous artists lived and worked in Barcelona Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Enrique Tabara, an outstanding architect of Barcelona Anthony Gaudi. Great singers live and work in Barcelona Jose Carreras and Montserrat Caballe.
The best preserved of all Gothic shipyards. One of the most interesting architectural monuments 14th century. Barcelona. Currently, the shipyard building houses Maritime Museum, opened in 1941 and occupying three large naves of the XIV century. The Museum presents latrine figures, navigational instruments, documentary evidence of the discovery of America, models of caravels and galleys, an atlas of 1493, etc.
The Gothic Quarter is located in the center of the Old Town in Barcelona. The name of the quarter was due to the surviving buildings erected in the Middle Ages, when Aragon was one of the most powerful powers in the Mediterranean. The quarter consists of narrow crooked streets, some of which are closed to traffic. Most of the buildings date back to the 14th-15th centuries; Roman buildings have also been preserved. The quarter was inhabited during the reign of Octavian Augustus. On the site of St. James's Square, there was previously a Roman forum. There are remains of the Roman wall.
Cathedral of Saint Eulalia- the central point of the Gothic quarter. It was built during 1298 -1420
In the 1920s, the quarter was restored, and now it houses many museums and small shops. Also here are the Barcelona City Hall and the government of Catalonia.
Montjuic
The 173 m high Montjuic hill is located next to the seaport. It is one of the largest urban parks in Europe (203 hectares). At the top of the hill is a fortress built in 1640. Since 1960, the fortress has housed Military Museum.
One of the most interesting objects of Montjuic is the so-called. "Spanish Village" is an open-air architectural museum, which contains copies of buildings from various regions of Spain. At the entrance is a copy of the gate from the city of Avila.
spanish village
There is an old bullfighting arena on the square. On the other side of the square are two bell towers, similar to the bell towers in St. Mark's Square in Venice. Nearby is the National Art Museum of Catalonia and designed by the Catalan architect Carles Buigas.
The Barcelona Aquarium is the largest in Europe and its underwater glass tunnel is the longest in the world.
Park "Labyrinth"
On the territory of one park, two different styles are combined: 18th century park. in neoclassical style and 19th century romantic park The most attractive for tourists is the labyrinth - one of the main elements of the park. On the territory of the park there is a former palace of the Desvalls family, a pond, the Romantic Canal, etc.
The construction of the park began in 1791 The labyrinth was founded in 1792 and became the central element of the park. The size of the labyrinth is approximately 45x48 meters. The length of the hedge reaches 750 m. The hedge consists of cypresses. The height of the fence is 2.5 m. The entrance to the labyrinth is located in the southwestern corner of the labyrinth and is an arch of cypresses. At the entrance to the labyrinth there is a relief depicting Ariadne, who hands Theseus a ball of threads.
In the center of the labyrinth there is a small round platform, from which eight paths diverge, each of which is marked by a cypress arch. In the center of the site there is a sculpture, in a circle - benches made of stone.
Sagrada Familia
In the picture: Nativity facade
Church in Barcelona, built on private donations since 1882, famous project by Antoni Gaudí. One of the most famous long-term construction projects in the world. According to the decision of the initiators of the construction of the temple, the financing of the work should be carried out exclusively at the expense of donations from the parishioners, which is one of the reasons for such a long construction. It must become the temple of the new age. Until the end of his life, even leaving architectural practice, Gaudí continued to build a temple, considering this the main thing in his biography. At the end of his life, Gaudí hardly left his studio. The distraction of the architect led him to death under the wheels of a tram.
After the death of the architect in 1926, the temple was not completed. Difficulties arose due to the fact that Gaudi worked without drawings. One new façade was erected with modernist sculptures (including one by Gaudí). Until now, work is underway on the construction of another facade and the central bell tower. With the construction of the central tower, the church should become the tallest in the world.
There are daily services in the temple.
Valencia
The third largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona. It is located at the confluence of the partially drained Turia River into the Mediterranean Sea. The city was founded by the Romans in 138 BC e.
The city is rich in sights: the towers of the former city wall, Valencia Cathedral (where the cup is kept, which is recognized by the Catholic Church in the person of the Pope Holy Grail), the openwork bell tower of the cathedral called Miguelete, the home of the silk weavers guild. Valencia has been part of the World Heritage of Humanity since 1996.
The cup from which Jesus Christ ate at the Last Supper and into which Joseph of Arimathea collected blood from the wounds of the Savior crucified on the cross.
City of Arts and Sciences
In the picture: Planetarium, theater of laser performances
An architectural complex of five buildings on the drained bottom of the Turia River in the city of Valencia. Designed by the Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, construction began in 1996. The complex is one of the outstanding examples of modern architecture.
In the picture: Museum of Science and Technology, adapted for schoolchildren, who are encouraged to touch and operate its exhibits
Seville
In the picture: View from the coast of the Guadalquivir to the Triana area
A city in southern Spain with a population of 700,000 inhabitants. According to legend, it was founded Greek heroHercules. Tourism center. Located on a fertile, well developed plain, on both sides of the Guadalquivir River, which is navigable to Seville and for sea ships. Thanks to the many towers, Seville from all sides is a majestic panorama. The ancient part of the city is located on the left bank of the Guadalquivir and is surrounded by suburbs. From the ancient city wall with 66 towers, only fragments remain today. On the right bank of the river is the district of Triana.
Alcazar
It was originally a fort of the Moors, expanded several times. The first palace was built by the Almohad dynasty. Most of the modern complex was built on the ruins of an Arab fortress by the king of Castile. Pedro I, the start of construction is attributed to 1364 The palace is one of the best surviving examples Mudéjar architecture(synthetic style in architecture, painting and arts and crafts of Spain in the 11th-16th centuries). Gothic elements added later (during the reign of Charles V) contrast with the dominant Islamic style.
For nearly 700 years it has been palace of the Spanish kings. The upper chambers of the Alcazar are still used by the royal family as the official residence in Seville.
The palace in the Spanish city of Seville, so named because it was supposedly a copy of the palace of Pontius Pilate. According to another version, the name of the house is associated with relics received by the owners of the house from Pope Pius VI: the pillar at which Christ was scourged under Pilate.
Resorts of Spain
Strip of the Mediterranean coast in the northeast of Catalonia. It extends for 162 km from the city of Blanes to the border with France. A popular area for tourism and recreation. The relief of the coast is made up of impregnable cliffs and rocks, overgrown with Pyrenean pines, pines and firs, which are interspersed with picturesque bays and bays with beaches of white sand and pebbles. To the south, sandy beaches begin.
In the mountains surrounding the coast, ancient dolmens and ruins of ancient castles have been preserved. On the slope of Mount Werder is the former Benedictine Monastery of St. Peter of Rhodes, and at the top - the ruins Werder castle known as "Sant Salvador de Verdera".
Costa Dorada in Spanish means "golden coast", the elite beaches of Spain are concentrated here: they are like gold in the rays of the sun, gently sloping, long, sandy and almost perfect.
The resort is known for its endless beaches and orange groves.
There is almost never winter here, and a warm spring begins when some other areas of Spain are still covered with snow, this makes the Costa Blanca a holiday destination in Spain at any time of the year. Costa Blanca is located in a cozy environment of high mountains, which protect it from winds and sudden changes in weather, so the climate here is very mild.
Translated from Spanish "Sunshine". It is the country's southernmost Mediterranean resort. In the middle of the XX century. it has become a world famous tourist resort. The region includes several cities: Malaga, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella, Nerja, Estepona, Manilva, Torrox.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain
- Fortress-palace of Granada emirs. Located on the hill of al-Sabika. This fortress is called the star of Andalusia.
- the most striking monument of Spanish Gothic. Its construction began in 1221, after which no construction work was carried out for 200 years. Construction was completed in 1567.
Historic Center of Cordoba. It is believed that Cordoba was founded by the Phoenicians, then it was under Roman rule. Philosophers and poets Seneca the Elder, Seneca the Younger, Lucian were born here. Architectural monuments have been preserved in Cordoba: a bridge of Roman times, a massive jagged tower, the Alcazar Palace, Columbus Square (he lived here, his son Hernando, the founder of the famous Columbian Library in Seville), was born here), a mosque.
Pictured: Roman bridge
- the most famous historical monument Spain, created under King Philip II. This is the monastery of St. Lawrence - San Lorenzo. It is located 50 km from Madrid.
- a vast limestone cave in northern Spain, in the Cantabrian mountains, which has gained worldwide fame for its oldest rock paintings. It is called the "Sistine Chapel of Primitive Art".
is the highest city in Spain. It was known back in the days of the Celtiberians, the ancient population of Spain. Already in the 1st century BC. it was a major political, economic and cultural center of the Iberian Peninsula.
Segovia- the ancient beautiful city of Spain. The first settlement on this site appeared about 700 BC. Here was one of the centers of Iberian resistance to Roman colonization. Having captured the city in 80 BC, the Romans turned it into their stronghold. Ancient Segovia was one of the largest cities in the Iberian Peninsula.
Santiago de Compostela. This city is called the "city of a hundred towers", "the beacon of the Christian world", it is considered the third most important shrine of the Christian world after Jerusalem and Rome.
The foundation of the city is associated with the name of St. Jacob. When the 12 apostles moved to all corners of the earth to preach the gospel, the apostle James went to Spain. Having created the first Christian communities here, Jacob returned to Palestine and, by order of King Herod Agrippa, was captured and beheaded in 44. His disciples put the remains of Jacob in a boat and launched it on the waves of the Mediterranean Sea. This boat was washed up on the Spanish coast, and the city of Santiago de Compostela (Jacob in Spanish, Iago) was founded on this site.
Toledo is the ancient capital of Spain. "The crown of Spain and the light of the whole world" - as it was once called. The city was badly damaged during the Napoleonic wars. Now it is a city-reserve. It is the center of the archbishopric.
Architecture of Aragon. Zaragoza is the capital of Aragon. The architecture of Zaragoza is massive buildings without decorations, often connected by long columns. The Cathedral of Nuestra Señora del Pilar and the Cathedral of San Salvador are examples of this.
Old town in Caceres. The city of Cáceres itself is a modern bustling city. But in its center, the Spanish Middle Ages, perfectly preserved, are quietly dormant.
- an ancient Spanish city located on a rocky plateau above the Tormes River. For many centuries, houses, palaces and temples of Salamanca were built from a local variety of sandstone - Villamayor stone.
This is a real oasis in the center of Spain. The average annual rainfall in Elche is less than 300 mm per year. There has always been a shortage of water. Without irrigation, only olives could grow in this place. But the settlers from northern Africa succeeded in turning this semi-desert into a blooming garden. And this was done with the help of palm trees.
History of Spain
The first traces of the appearance of man in the north of the Iberian Peninsula are towards the end of the Paleolithic. Drawings of animals on the walls of caves appeared about 15 thousand years BC. e.
First civilizations
In the Bronze Age, a culture emerges from which at the end of the second millennium civilization is formed Tartessos who traded metal with the Phoenicians. After the depletion of the mines, Tartessus falls into decay.
Along the east coast of Spain in the III millennium BC. e. appeared Iberian tribes. From these tribes comes the ancient name of the peninsula - Iberian.
Carthaginian colonization
The first colonies in this country belonged to Phoenicians; after 680 BC e. Carthage became the main center of Phoenician civilization, and the Carthaginians established a trading monopoly in the Straits of Gibraltar. On the east coast, Iberian cities were founded, reminiscent of the Greek city-states.
Roman Spain
The defeat of the Carthaginians (whose troops were led by Hannibal) in the Second Punic War in 210 BC. e. paved the way for the establishment of Roman domination on the peninsula. After 200 years of bloody wars, the Romans managed to bring the country under their citizenship. Spain became the second most important center of the Roman Empire after Italy itself. The three living Spanish languages are rooted in Latin, and Roman law became the foundation of the Spanish legal system. Christianity appeared on the peninsula very early, but for a long time the Christian communities were subjected to severe persecution.
Barbarians in Spain
In the 5th century A.D. e. Barbarians poured into the Iberian Peninsula - Germanic tribes (Vandals, Visigoths). The three-hundred-year rule of the Visigoths left a significant mark on the culture of the peninsula, but did not lead to the creation of a single nation.
In the picture: The family of the ancient Germans in the 300s
Byzantine Spain
Byzantine Spain was conquered from the Visigothic kingdom by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. The Byzantine army managed to advance deep into the Iberian Peninsula for 150-200 km. Byzantine Spain also included the Balearic Islands.
Arab conquest of the Iberian Peninsula
In 711, one of the Visigothic groups called for help from the Arabs and Berbers from North Africa. Arabs(Moors) crossed from Africa to Spain and put an end to the Visigothic state that had existed for almost 300 years. Almost all of Spain a short time was conquered by the Arabs and formed part of the great Umayyad Caliphate.
Reconquista
Christian Reconquista(in translation - "reconquest") is Long procces reconquest by Iberian Christians (mainly Spaniards, Catalans and Portuguese) of the lands on the Iberian Peninsula occupied by the Moorish emirates. The reconquista ended in 1492, when Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile expelled the last Moorish ruler from the Iberian Peninsula. They united most of Spain under their rule.
Spanish Golden Age (16th and first half of the 17th century)
The end of the Reconquista and the beginning of the conquest of America allowed Spain for a short time to become the strongest political power in Europe. The ambitions of the numerous Spanish nobility (hidalgo) and the inspiration from the success of the centuries-old "holy war" under the banner of the Catholic faith made the Spanish army one of the strongest in the world and demanded new military victories. In 1504 Naples was conquered by Spain. V 16th century absolutism was established. At the beginning of the XVI century. the Spanish colonial empire was formed, the basis of which was the colonial conquests in America. The Spanish Empire reached its peak in the 16th century. with the expansion of the colonies in South and Central America and the capture of Portugal in 1580.
Decline of Spain
From the middle of the XVII century. Spain turns from a subject of European politics into an object of French territorial claims and loses a number of possessions in Central Europe. The country's economy and the state apparatus fell into a state of complete decline. By the end of the reign of Charles II, many cities and territories were depopulated. Due to the lack of money in many provinces returned to barter. Despite exceptionally high taxes, the once luxurious court of Madrid was unable to pay for its own maintenance, often even a royal meal.
Spain in the 18th century
In 1700, Charles II died, leaving no heirs. The War of Spanish Succession began between Austria and France. France elevated Philip V of Bourbon (grandson of Louis XIV) to the Spanish throne. For many decades, the political life of Spain began to be determined by the interests of France.
Spain in the 19th century
In 1808, a guerrilla war began in Spain to drive out the invaders. The state of affairs changed dramatically in favor of Spain after the defeat of Napoleon in Russia. The French were expelled from Spain, but the question of the further political structure of the country remained open. In 1820 the Bourbons seized power again. The 19th century in Spain was a century of civil wars and ended with the election of Alphonse XII the king of Spain. During these years, industry and trade began to develop in Spain, the appearance of the country's largest cities changed. Liberal transformations were carried out: universal suffrage and jury trials were introduced.
Spain in the 20th century
In the years World War I Spain remained neutral, but its economy was seriously affected.
On April 14, 1931, as a result of mass demonstrations, the monarchy was overthrown, and Spain became a republic. But this did not bring stability to Spanish society, since disagreements between the republicans themselves were added to the contradictions between the conservative-monarchist and republican wing. The continued terror and the inability of the authorities to solve economic problems led to an increase in popularity in the army circles of the Spanish Falange, its rebellion in 1936 and a bloody civil war that ended in 1939 with the capture of Madrid by the rebels and the establishment of a life sentence. dictatorship of Francisco Franco. 
The years of Franco's rule are the period of conservative modernization of Spain. The country did not participate in World War II.
In the 1950s and 60s, the Spanish "economic miracle" occurs, associated with an influx of investment in a previously backward agrarian country, urbanization and the development of industry and tourism. At the same time, political rights and freedoms were limited in the country for a long time, repressions were carried out against separatists and adherents of leftist views.
Modern Spain
After the death of Franco and the restoration of the monarchy in Spain, a new Constitution was adopted, soon the socialists came to power, who still dominate the country's political system. The country has become a federal state. In 1986 Spain joined the European Union.
Despite a relatively high standard of living, the country is dependent on public and foreign investment and financial assistance from the European Union. Spain is one of the most affected European countries during the economic crisis of the late 2000s.
Museums in Spain. The most famous and famous museums of the cities of Spain - photo and video, addresses, location, sites, schedules, opening hours.
Spain is a country of sunny beaches, famous wines and fiery dances, it has a rich cultural heritage and, of course, it is home to many famous museums. This year, a somewhat unconventional museum has been added to the list of Spanish museums - the Museum of Ideas and Inventions has opened in Barcelona, revealing the world of creative ideas.The most famous Spanish museum is the Prado in Madrid. The ancient park of the museum was mentioned as early as the 16th century, and the building itself, in which its exposition is located, was built later and is a magnificent example of strict neoclassical style. The basis of the museum's fund was the royal collection of paintings, and the main treasure of the Prado is a huge collection of paintings by Spanish artists. The museum has a wide range of works by Velasquez, El Greco and Goya. The collection of paintings by Titian, Hieronymus Bosch and Rubens is impressive. Also in the Prado is a significant collection of sculptures and works of applied art.
In addition to the Prado, there are several dozen more museums in Madrid, and one of the most interesting among them is Escorial Palace. The museum is located near the village of the same name, an hour's drive from the city. The construction of the palace began in 1563 and lasted for 21 years, after which it became the residence of the Spanish King Philip II. The Escorial complex consists of a palace, a cathedral, a monastery and a theological school, which first mislead visitors with their external severity, and then amaze with the extraordinary splendor of the interior decoration.
The second most visited Spanish museum is the Dali Theatre-Museum, which is located in the artist's birthplace in Figueres.
The palace houses more than 5,000 famous paintings, here are the works of Titian, Tintoretto, Bosch, El Greco, Velazquez, Van Dyck, Veronese and other famous artists. The Escorial also features Greek sculptures, antique wall hangings, jewelry, books and manuscripts. One of the most valuable treasures of the palace is the Gospel with golden pages. Escorial is the burial place of the ashes of the Spanish kings.
The second most visited Spanish museum is the Dalí Theatre-Museum, which is located in the artist's birthplace in Figueres. The museum is located in the theater building; its opening took place during the life of El Salvador in 1974. The artist bequeathed hometown almost all of his works, so it is in this museum that the most significant collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures by Dali is located. Also in the museum building is located and open to visitors the apartment of the famous artist. Salvador Dali himself is buried in the crypt, which is located in the basement of the museum.
Among other well-known Spanish museums, there are also the archaeological and maritime museums of Barcelona, the museum of archeology of Cadiz and others.
